Exhibits

The Elmhurst History Museum proudly presents a diverse array of exhibits each year to fulfill our mission to engage people with history. From original exhibits created in-house by staff, to national traveling exhibits from other institutions, as well as our ongoing core exhibit on Elmhurst history -- there's always something new to see and experience in our galleries!

2018 Exhibition Schedule

Ongoing

By All Accounts: The Story of Elmhurst

The Museum's entire second floor has been transformed into an interactive, innovative exhibit taking visitors on a journey through Elmhurst's history over the past 165 years.

January 12-March 11, 2018Freedom: A History of US

The evolving concept of freedom and its pursuit is explored in this touring exhibition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, illuminating critical figures and events from our nation’s birth until 1968.

March 23-June 17, 2018Snoopy and the Red Baron

The World War I Flying Ace lands in Elmhurst for the national debut of a new traveling exhibit organized by the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, Calif. featuring America’s most beloved beagle. Highlights include: high resolution reproductions of Schulz’s original comic strip artwork; World War I artifacts; photographs; film clips; and themed objects and ephemera inspired by Snoopy as the Flying Ace from toys and airplane models to figurines and more.

July 13-November 4, 2018

Chicago Rink Rats: The Golden Age of Roller Skating

From 1937 through 1959, Chicago was the epicenter for the most popular participatory sport in America: roller skating. Explore the roller rinks that arose throughout the Chicago area during the golden era of skating, and find out about the people, the gear, the clubs, the music, and the competitions that made Chicago the Roller Capital.

November 16, 2018-January 6, 2019

Hometown Holiday: It's a Wonderful Life in Elmhurst

Frank Capra’s 1946 holiday film classic, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” come to life through rare artifacts, movie memorabilia, photographs and more – including a connection to Elmhurst’s own holiday traditions.